Transfers: Top 10 loan moves in the modern era

Loans are very important for players. fringe players can get game time, less financially buoyant clubs get quality and cost-effective first team players or squad members and young stars who needed a run of games are born.

While thousands of loan deals have been made in the modern era, only a few have worked out well with great results. As the January transfer window closes, we look at some of the greatest loan deals ever made in the modern era.

10) Robbie Keane:

Inter Milan – Leeds United (January 2000) Tottenham – Celtic (January 2010)
After a disastrous 13 million move to Inter Milan, Robbie Keane was sent back to England on loan with Leeds United. He scored 9 goals in 14 games and ensured Leeds finished the season in 4th place. They made the transfer permanent at the end of season.
In 2010, Keane also joined Celtic on loan after falling down the pecking order at Tottenham. He went on to score 16 goals in 19 games. He was awarded the player of the season at Celtic despite only joining in January.

9) Christopher Dugarry:

Bordeaux – Birmingham (January 2003)
Former AC Milan and Barcelona player Dugarry signed for Birmingham city in January 2003. The French world cup winner was hugely influential scoring 5 goals and creating chances for others ensuring Birmingham city stayed in the premier league in their first season in the top flight since 1986.

8) Ivan Campo:

Real Madrid to Bolton wanderers (Summer 2002)
Used mostly as a holding midfielder, he played a key role in Bolton finishing the season as high as 8th. He impressed from day 1 where he scored a 40 yard screamer in his debut game. His defensive prowess allowed the likes of Okocha and Djourkaeff express their creativity, He signed on permanently and played for a further 4 seasons and became a Bolton legend in the process.

7) Diego Costa:

Atletico Madrid to Rayo Vallecano (January 2012)

Growing tired of his off the field antics and disciplinary issues, Atletico Madrid’s plans to sell Diego costa to Besiktas were scuppered by a serious knee injury he picked up in pre-season training. In January 2012, he was sent out on loan to Rayo Vallecano to continue with his recovery from in injury. He finished the loan spell with 10 goals in 16 games. He was promptly recalled back to the first team at Atletico Madrid.. Two years later he was top scorer as they won an unprecedented La Liga title and finished runners-up in the champions’ league. The rest they say is history.

6) Andreas Christensen:

Chelsea to Borussia Monchengladbach (2015 till date)

The 20-year-old is in the 2nd year of a hugely successful loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach. In the 2015-16 season, his excellent performances helped Gladbach finish the season in 4th place and he won Borussia Monchengladbach’s player of the season award ahead of then captain Granit Xhaka. Borussia Monchengladbach reportedly offered 15m to make his move permanent but Chelsea have the young Dane in their first team plans.

5) Romelu Lukaku:

Chelsea to West Brom, (2012-13) Chelsea to Everton, (2013-14)

Lukaku was shipped out to West Brom to gain premier league experience, he finished the season with 17 goals in 35 games, including a hat trick after coming on at half time in Sir Alex’s last game as Man United manager in a 5-5 draw.

The next season, he was loaned to Everton where he scored, despite injury worries, 15 goals in 31 games and helped Everton to a record points tally in the process. Still considered as a backup player at Chelsea, he opted to sign for Everton for 28 million pounds in 2014.

4) Kieran Richardson:

Man Utd to West Brom, January 2005
The former Man United player joined West Brom while they were rooted to the bottom of the table in January 2005. His pace and energy inspired West Brom to go on a winning run. However they were still bottom of the table up, Richardson earned his place in West Brom folklore when his third and final goal of the season won the game and lifted the Baggies out of the relegation zone on the final day.

3) Jurgen Klinsmann:

Sampdoria to Tottenham, January 1998
The legendary German footballer was already a fan’s favourite from a previous stint as a Tottenham player, so the Spurs faithful turned to their former hero to save them from the relegation dogfight. He ended the season with 9 goals in 15 goals and promptly earned legendary status as the club finished 14th.

2) Kevin Campbell:

Trabzonspor to Everton, March 1999
Kevin Campbell finished the season as Everton’s top scorer despite only joining on loan in March (Everton were 18th on the table), his total of 9 goals in 8 games helped Everton avoid relegation. The former arsenal player was subsequently signed permanently for 3 million pounds in the following summer.

1)Thibaut Courtois:

Chelsea to Atletico Madrid, 2011-2014

Courtois was signed as a promising young goal keeper but was immediately shipped out to Atletico Madrid who needed a replacement for David de Gea who had just departed for man united. By the time Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge he was one of the best goal keepers in the world, with trophies to boot. He won the La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Europa League, European Super Cup and finished runners-up to Real Madrid in the Champions League.He won two Zamora awards (2013 & 2014) as La Liga’s best goal keeper (all in a 3 year loan deal). In his first season back at Chelsea, he displaced Petr Cech and helped Chelsea to the league and cup double.